You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

Shepherd Watching On the Plain

Shepherds, watching on the plain

Author: R. T. Wiley
Tune: [Lord, accept our humble praise]
Published in 3 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Shepherds, watching on the plain,
Heard a strange, sweet story,
And a glad, angelic strain
From the choir of glory.

2 "Glory" was their theme that morn,
Peace on earth, from Heaven;
For to you a king is born,
And a Savior given.

3 Wise men journeyed far to bring—
His bright star espying—
Presents to the infant King,
In a manger lying.

4 We, O Savior! too, would bring
Gifts of love unfeigning,
To our prophet, priest and king,
Now in glory reigning.

5 Lord, accept our humble praise
From Thy throne low bending;
Hear with gracious ear the lays
From our lips ascending.

6 Tune our hearts with sweet accord
As we raise our voices,
Thus to praise the risen Lord,
In whom earth rejoices.

7 In His name and through His love,
Come we, gladly singing
Songs of praise, to float above—
Sweetly upward winging.

8 May we sing these songs of joy
Till earth ties shall sever!
Then Thy praise our tongues employ
In the blest forever.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #11944

Author: R. T. Wiley

(no biographical information available about R. T. Wiley.) Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Shepherds, watching on the plain
Title: Shepherd Watching On the Plain
Author: R. T. Wiley
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #11944
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)

Instances in all hymnals

Instances (1 - 1 of 1)
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #11944

Include 2 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.